Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle operates as a medium-sized middle-grades school in Newport News, Virginia, part of Newport News City Public Schools. Current enrollment sits at 988 students spanning grades 6 through 8. By comparison, Virginia's public schools average about 750 students each, so Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle sits 32% above that benchmark.

Newport News City Public Schools runs 40 schools in total, collectively educating 25,882 students. Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle is one of those campuses.

In terms of who attends, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle reports that 48% of students identify as Black, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups; the rest looks like 26% Hispanic, 15% White, 8% multiracial, 3% Asian.

Looking at school resources, About 98% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 61.4%; this one delivers 52.8%.

In the surrounding community, census data for Newport News city shows the typical household earns roughly $69,634 per year, 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 11%. In all, Newport News city runs 48 public schools (combined enrollment of about 25,882 students), of which Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle is one.

The closest other public school is Denbigh Early Childhood Center, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Among the 8 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle ranks 6th on composite proficiency, beneath the local average of 59.8%.

Geographically, the school is in a downtown area.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has edged down 8%, going from 1,074 students in 2018 to 988 in 2025. Over the same period, the Hispanic share edged up from 16% to 26%.

On allk12, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.